Joni Sledge of R&B group Sister Sledge dies at age 60

Founding member of the American musical group, Sister Sledge, Joni Sledge has died. Sledge was discovered unresponsive at her home in Phoenix, AZ on Friday. She was 60.

The cause of death is yet to be determined and memorial services will be announced early next week. Formed in 1971, in the city of Philadelphia, Sister Sledge consisted of sisters Debbie, Joni, Kim and Kathy Sledge. The sisters saw the release of their breakthrough album “We Are Family”, which peaked at number three on the US Album Chart Top 200 Billboard Charts and went multi-Platinum delivering the global anthem, “We Are Family”.

In a statement from the Sledge Family “On yesterday, numbness fell upon our family. We welcome your prayers as we weep the loss of our sister, mother, aunt, niece and cousin, Joni Sledge. We thank you for privacy and prayers during these very difficult times”

Sister Sledge's 1979 single “We Are Family” reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and earned them a Grammy Award nomination. Their other US hits include a 1982 cover of “My Guy”. The group had several international hits including the UK Top 20 hits with "Mama Never Told Me" (1975), “He’s the Greatest Dancer” (1979), "We Are Family" (1979), “Lost In Music” (1979), and "Reach Your Peak” (1982) which Joni sang lead.